Today's Little Thing...

Walk-in closets that are big enough to lay down in when you have a migraine. Yay for no windows, clothes that absorb all the sound and a kitty who sneaks in and snuggles with me.

Obviously, I'm feeling better a little better now. So while the vice around my head is continuing to loosen, here is some closet eye candy...

Via

Via

Via

Via

Via

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Up and Away!

Have you seen the Disney Pixar Film Up? If you haven't you should run out and rent it today.

Noel and I went and saw Up! when it was in the theater...and we absolutely loved it. In fact, we bought it as soon as it was out on DVD and every time we watch it we are moved to tears. I guess we both have hopes and plans to travel, but since we are both in school that adventure fund is drained pretty quickly just like Carl and Ellie's Paradise Falls fund is depleted again and again by life's misadventures.

In the mean time we are enjoying married life and loving each other's company. I guess we just relate to Carl and Ellie and admire the child-like joy they find in each other and life in general. One thing that Carl and Ellie have in the movie is their "Adventure Book." They dream of going to a place called Paradise Falls and use the book to record their adventures and plans.

Since we saw the movie we've always had our own version of an "Adventure Book" that sits in our living room. Anytime we see a place on TV or hear about a place from a friends, we write it in our book.

We organize it my city so that we can visit some of these places if we happen to be traveling there. Hopefully one day we can check off most adventures and write more about our experiences to complete the pages.

Here's to living life like there's no tomorrow...

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2011 Planning

It's a futile search...every year I'm on the hunt for the perfect planner, but I never seem to find one that works perfectly for me. So this year I decided that I would take elements from planners of years gone by and create my own customized planner that would work for me this year. 115 pages and a few hours later I was done! Here are a few of my favorite elements that I included...

1) A large monthly planner. I'm not good enough to keep up with a detailed weekly planner- I do much better if I can see the month all together. No kiddos to keep up with...just a husband and crazy school schedules so I don't need too much room. One month spread over two letter size pages works best for me- I'll print these out and have them spiral bound so each month is easily accessible. 

2) Monthly Financial Checklists! I've always kept a checklist of bills that need to be paid each month so I decided to incorporate that into my planner this year. I can simply check off each bill as it is paid and I also listed my bills that are auto-drafted so I don't forget that money is flying out of our bank account as fast as Devo's fame faded in the 80's. I also listed our savings goals for the year so I can record our balance and keep track of our progress.

3) Meal Plans! I've added a smaller calendar on the next page that is dedicated to menu planning for that month. I don't bother to plan out breakfast or lunch. (It's always cereal or poptarts and the standard soup or sandwich making ingredients since we pack our lunches.) This smaller calendar is just enough to jot down what's for dinner each night so I can remember what to buy at the store and what to take out of the freezer each morning.

4) Shopping List! I usually do one large shopping trip each month. I can buy all our meat in bulk and separate it into freezer bags and most other ingredients/ snacks/ fruits/ veggies we will need for the month. I also make a short trip every week or two to get milk and bread and to take advantage of any good coupon deals that are going on. It makes it really convenient to have my menu plan on the opposite page as I create my shopping list. And the coupon check list keeps me straight while I'm at the store because I can note how much each coupon is for and if there are any conditions such as buying 2 of the item or a particular size without having to stand in the middle of an aisle and search through my coupon bag.

5) Christmas Gift Giving List! Thanks are due to I Heart Organizing for this idea. I used Jen's downloadable Gift Giving Plan this year and absolutely loved it! So I've added a modified version to my planner to use around Christmas time so I don't forget what I've purchased for who!

6) Address list! I hate searching for addresses when I want to send a card. Inevitably, I can't find an address right away and I forget about what I wanted to send so my friends end up thinking they are unloved. Sad. I really do love you guys and think about you often! I'm just forgetful. *sniff* So maybe this address list will help. I've also added a portion that will allow me to keep up with those who send me Christmas cards and those I send Christmas cards to. It's on my 30 before 30 list. I only have one more Christmas to actually get cards out...the pressure is on!

7) Days to Celebrate List! A place to list birthdays and anniversaries to remember.

8) And last but not least...extra pages for notes are essential!

And because I love you and I hope someone else can use what I've created...here is a free printable version for you! You can print it back and front and have it spiral bound for probably less than $10-15...enjoy!

2011 Planner -

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So...I've got a paper to write.

So of course I reorganized my guest room closet this morning! Yeah, the whole procrastination thing is kicking my butt. Finals are next week, I haven't done my Christmas shopping and can't even get into the "Christmas spirit" yet. But I do feel so much better now that this closet is clean!! Check out my embarrassing before photos...

And after a few hours, here are the after pics...

And a few more...

I used this old hanging closet organizer to store our office supplies for easy access and used the empty space behind the organizer to store our beach towels since we don't have a linen closet (and the balls on the top are for pool volleyball games in the summer- so fun!). 

Each bankers box is labeled: one for each year of law school, one for crafts, photographs, cables, wedding items, etc. I also made a box for Noel and one for myself for us to keep any personal sentimental items that we just can't quite bear to part with.

After cleaning the closet I shredded a bunch of old paperwork and organized my file cabinet. Then I cleaned the kitchen and decided to make a few yummy treats too. Then I decided to share my day with you. Because well, I love you. And I still haven't started my paper. Lord help me.

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Organizing/Procrastinating: It happens often in my house.

I recently had a week where I had a Management presentation of a paper (Tuesday), Marketing group paper and presentation (Wednesday), and a Finance mid-term (Thursday) all in one week. PLUS a lectureship at work which lasted three days. Guess which days? Yep- Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

So what do I decide to do on the Saturday before this awful week?

Yep, you guessed it. I reorganized my buffet! Procrastinate much?

What can I say, I work better under pressure.

Our buffet holds all my cookbooks, our junk drawers, fine china and my morning drawer which includes my hair dryer, makeup bag, mirror and flat iron. (I get ready in the dining room so I don't wake up Noel with my hair dryer.) Hey- when you live in a little apartment you do what works and combine things like junk and fine china. Don't judge.

Here are the cabinets on each side:

And here are the three drawers:

Junk, junk and more junk. I even found a disposable camera from 2007. Who knows what's on it?!

Jasper decided he would help too. I hope his little tail knocked some dust out of that cabinet.

Here are the beautiful after pics- side by side with the before pics for comparison:

The left cabinet holds my cookbook collection and a Longaberger basket that holds all of my coupons (thanks to my bro and sis-in law for that Christmas gift!) and extra recipe cards, etc are neatly stacked next to it. 

The right cabinet didn't change a bit but did get a good dusting so I won't bore you with that. 

Here are a few pics of the drawers:

Also, on top of the buffet, a little plate holds out keys and don'tforgetthisasyougooutthedoor stuff. I make Noel's lunch most days and leave it in the fridge for him. He forgets it sometimes so I try to put a sticky note above the doorknob to remind him as he goes out the door. I hide my sticky note under our plate so I can just re-use it. I love post-its. Seriously- love.  :)

I don't know about you but I can breath better when I'm organized. You? 

No?! Just me? 

Ummm...k. 

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